Midd alum races to cure cancer

Some Middlebury graduates take a year off after college to travel or ski or simply rest after a grueling four years. One alum, though, is not wasting any time. Kevin O’Rourke ’09, who was known on campus as a fiercely competitive swimmer and a regular in McCardell Bicentennial Hall, is currently helping combat cancer.

In the lab, he researches proteins that have the possibility of serving as “tumor suppressors,” and on the streets of Boston, he trains for the upcoming Boston marathon and searches for sponsors whose donations will support additional cancer research.

O’Rourke, whose godmother died of breast cancer four years ago, felt firsthand the devastation that the disease can have on a family. “Her battle was tough because she left behind five of my cousins, all of whom had to say goodbye to their mother way before they should have,” he recalled.

“It was very sad because the doctors gave her the best shot possible at beating the disease, but it simply wasn't possible. That's not fair.”

With his godmother’s story for inspiration and applying his competitive spirit and scientific brain as tools, O’Rourke has set before himself a challenge of epic proportions. He logs long hours in the lab at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI). O’Rourke described his research in layman’s terms.

“Normally, when a cell divides it must duplicate its genome and then properly segregate the two copies into two new daughter cells,” he said. “If that process goes awry, you get a condition called aneuploidy which may lead cells to divide uncontrollably and cause cancer.

“My goal is to find proteins that might alert the ‘contractor’ — or the cell, in this case — that something is wrong, and to stop building,” he continued. “Those proteins are called ‘tumor suppressors,’ and often are not present or are mutated in cancer cells.

The identification of a new tumor suppressor would mean that doctors can better diagnose cancer, and drug companies would have new insights into how to stabilize cancer cells and prevent them from growing uncontrollably. Both would mean that people like my godmother would have a better chance at beating this disease.”

Complicated research is nothing new for O’Rourke. During his time at Middlebury, he majored in molecular biology and biochemistry and conducted an independent research project under Given Professor of Biology and Pre-Medical Science Grace Spatafora, which led him to continue his work in the form of a senior thesis. In his thesis, O’Rourke proved that a specific protein “was crucial to the ability of Streptococcus mutans to cause dental cavities.”

Under the direction of Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry Steve Sontum, O’Rourke created a model of this protein. The model will be published on the cover of the March issue of The Journal of Bacteriology.

In addition to his research, O’Rourke decided to train for the Boston Marathon and to raise money for The Claudia Adams Barr Program in conjunction with his run.

“With your donation, if you wish for me to wear a ribbon with a name on it, I would be honored to run that ribbon all 26.2 miles to the finish line,” he explained.

The name can be anyone who you’d like your donation to be in honor or in memory of, and I will proudly wear it on my jersey in April. Don’t fret, if I receive 1,000 requests for ribbons I will gladly accept the challenge of running a marathon with all 1,000 of them!”

O’Rourke wrote in an e-mail asking for donations.

O’Rourke’s goal is to raise $8,000 before the race.

“If every runner who is apart of the DFCI Marathon team raises $8,000, then we will meet our team goal of $4.4 million. That would set a record for DFCI and for any charity associated with the Boston Marathon,” he explained.

The Claudia Adams Barr Program, is a worthy organization, he said, because 100 percent of donations go directly to funding cancer research, with no overhead or administrative costs. The program also funds young researchers who are just beginning their careers in cancer research.

“This is very important to the process because we need brilliant young investigators to secure funding and get to work on finding a cure,” O’Rourke said.

O’Rourke seems excited to challenge himself in a new way and to undertake a new type of training.

“The Boston Marathon has a rich history, and it is a real honor to be a part of,” he said.

“This way, I also have a reason to run. It's a chance for me to dedicate myself to something other than lowering my 200 freestyle time,” he said, comparing running to his experience as a varsity swimmer at Middlebury.

“The fundraising aspect seemed like a natural extension of what I am already doing — helping in every way I can to find a cure to cancer.”

Training for a marathon, O’Rourke explained, requires a lot of personal motivation.

“Running is completely new to me,” he said. “I have no idea what time to expect for myself at the end of 26 miles. Plus, without a bunch of first-year swimmers waiting for me to pick them up and take them to morning practice, it's awfully hard to wake up early and workout.”

Thankfully, O’Rourke has found comraderie with his fellow DFCI Challenge teammates.

“The DFCI team has lots of opportunities to train with one another,”he said.

“I think as I get a bit faster I will join in on the team runs more often. The best part about the team is their cohesiveness and willingness to help you with the fundraising and your running.”

O’Rourke also finds inspiration in books about running. He recommends “What I Talk About When I Talk About Running,” by Haruki Murakami. He first learned of the author in Professor of Japanese Studies Stephen Snyder’s contemporary japanese fiction class.

Thus far, O’Rourke has raised $1,635 from 36 donors, and his ribbon collection is growing. He implores Middlebury students and alumni to support him and to donate by visiting his Web site http://www.runDFMC.org/2010/kevino, or joining his Facebook group entitled:

“Kevin O’Rourke runs the Boston Marathon to Cure Cancer!”

“Every little bit helps. It is very powerful to hear from people who've donated and wish for me to run in honor or in memory of someone they know,” O’Rourke concluded.

“It helps me to wake up and run, and it is cool to know that the person you donate on behalf of will be honored as their ribbon will come along for the ride in April.”